Chivas USA 1, Real Salt Lake 0 | MLS Match Recap

CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA might be stuck in the Western Conference cellar at the midway point of the season, but they took a positive step Saturday night in their return to league action, kicking off the second half by capitalizing on a lengthy man advantage to sink Real Salt Lake 1-0 at StubHub Center.

Erick “Cubo” Torres netted his 10th goal of the season on a scintillating volley following a long feed from Tony Lochhead, giving the Goats all they would need against the visitors, who played with 10 men for more than 80 minutes after Luke Mulholland was sent off on a straight red card for his studs-up tackle on Martin Rivero in front of referee Kevin Stott.

With his 17th career goal, Torres became the league’s all-time leading scorer among Mexican-born players, surpassing Cuauhtémoc Blanco.

Despite being up a man, Chivas USA were unable to bury third-place Salt Lake. Mauro Rosales nearly padded Chivas USA’s lead in the 64th minute, but his right-footed shot from close range sailed high of the crossbar. Five minutes later, Leandro Barrera almost linked up with Torres on a breakaway opportunity, but a sliding Chris Schuler denied the golden chance.